An organization, Listen Carefully, launched a national video contest today challenging middle and high school students to create public service announcements about the importance of hearing protection.

The winning student(s) and their school will win a private concert by Interscope recording artist Aloe Blacc in 2015, according to a press release.

The “Listen Carefully Contest”, the release said, “was created in response to data showing that noise-induced hearing loss increased 30 percent in teens over the past decade.”

According to the release, “1 in 6 American teens has permanent hearing loss due to high volume sounds. Listen Carefully is a domestic program of Starkey Hearing Foundation, an international nonprofit that gives the gift of hearing to people in need around the world.”

"From the studio to the stage, my hearing is a critical part of my art," said Interscope recording artist Aloe Blacc. "I am so honored to join Listen Carefully to help raise awareness about noise-induced hearing loss and look forward to performing at the school of the video contest winner.”

The contest is “accepting 30-second video submissions between November 24 and December 31, 2014 from teens 13-18 who are enrolled an accredited U.S. middle school or high school.”

There are a number of things that can damage a kid’s hearing in less than 10 seconds, including “football games, concerts, portable listening devices, lawn mowers and even hairdryers can damage kids' hearing in as little as 10 seconds,” said the release.

“At the core of creating a revolution in hearing health is the conscientiousness that teenagers must develop regarding their own ears," said Dr. Vanessa Rothholtz, a Board Certified Otolaryngologist in Los Angeles, California in the release. "This begins with education and influences in their environment, such as the music industry, their parents and their friends. However, it is ultimately the young adult’s responsibility to actively participate in the protection of their hearing.”

Tani Austin, Co-Founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation, said that “noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, but often preventable.”

“We hope this contest will help provide a creative way for students to learn and educate their peers about the long-term health dangers associated with high-volume sounds,” Austin said.

Videos should be submitted to Listen Carefully’s official content page here. The top three finalists will be notified on February 1, 2015. Second and third place winners will receive a GoPro camera and a trip to attend the concert with a parent or legal guardian.

Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor